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Men of Lenapehoking | Life in the Village | Storytime with "Two Steps"
The show generally starts with a walk-by-viewing of a collection of artifacts and the hands-on table (pictured left). Then an introduction and a couple of old legends. The first may explain the migration from Asia called the "Tale of the Mastadon" or "The Boy and Rattlesnake" designed to deter children from using drugs and alcohol. Next, with the aid of specific artifacts we embark on hunting techniques and strategies examining the development of the spear to atlatl to the bow and arrow. We will then study the many styles of axes, such as the celt, full grooved, 1/2 grooved, adz, handheld an so on. Children will also learn to peck, grind and polish to understand the fabrication process. The next topic is trapping. Since this is such an extensive subject, we only lightly cover snare, pit and dead falls. Children are also instructed on the safety and the legal issues of trapping. This is usually a good time for a comical trickster tale or a little drumming and singing. Then we move into fishing techniques, a subject children enjoy because it's the one they are most familiar with. We will cover netting, trapping, weiring, spearing and hooking. Since no two shows are ever the same, more legends may be told, more songs may be sung, or a time for question and answer may be added to the experience. Life in the Village (Lenape Women and Children)
Then we explore the lodges and their contents, since these were generally the property of the women. The next topic is gathering and gathering containers. Woven baskets, bark, hide, gourd and wooden vessels will be on hand to help better understand the importance of identifying and gathering wild edibles. Gathering and foraging will also lead us into the next two subjects: medicine and cooking. Since the different uses of herbs and spices has been a practice passed down from mother to daughter for thousands of years. Farming is a wonderful topic and one children are familiar with, since many have one or have helped in a garden already. This topic is also an avenue to many in and out of school activities and a tool to show how little the human or life experience has changed. We will cover ground preparation, planting, fertilizing, maintenance, tool, prayer and harvesting. This all may be accompanied by a "Three Sisters" tale. The games are always a crowd pleaser. Marbles, juggling, hockey, lacrosse, hoop-stick, dice, ring-toss, etc. all help to understand the human experience and amuse as they watch a fellow classmate try their luck.
This collection of stories covers a wide range of topics. One, such as, "The Boy and the Rattlesnake" which is designed to deter children from using drugs and alcohol. Another, "Raccoon Brothers" helps deal with anger and aggression. Some legends tell a story of creation and how we all play a part, in the things we do, the things we say, and the way we associate with nature and our mother Earth. Children can listen to a tale and at first they only find the entertainment value, but when asked to find the meaning many lessons can be learned. Kevin is a very physical and animated entertainer who takes great pride in opening the door of imagination to children of all ages. For more information about Storytelling click here. |
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This program covers aspects of primitive technology pertaining to the survival skills of the Lenape people. We will not only examine the tools used for hunting, fishing, and trapping, but we will also explore their evolution and construction.
This program covers basic village life, farming, medicines, gathering, cooking, child resposibilities and games. As with all our programs we open with a couple of old Lenape legends and a viewing of a collection of artifacts and the hands-on table (pictured above).
Storytime is a collection of Kevin's favorite Native American legends. These stories have captivated audiences at schools, festivals camps and gatherings and on television.
